EMPIRE SUPER SPRINTS INVADE CANANDAIGUA FOR FIRST SPECIAL

CANANDAIGUA, NY...2002 schedule highlights during the month of May at Canandaigua Speedway include the first of two appearances by the Empire Super Sprints.

Sponsored by Wilbert's Buick & GM Parts based in Webster, N.Y., the May 11 sprint showdown on the Ontario County Fairgrounds also includes a full program of big-block Modified, Sportsman, Pro Stock and Street Stock competition.

Canandaigua's first special of 2002 marks the second of the 38-race ESS Tour (Black Rock opener rained out on April 13), with the 20-lap A-Main winner pocketing $1,300 plus contingencies from the total purse in excess of $10,000.

Since establishing themselves in Central New York during the 1983 season, the Empire Super Sprints have invaded Ontario County eighteen times.

2000 co-rookie of the year Randy Years captured the 20-lap A-Main last May before former DIRT Modified pilot Lance Yonge from Penn Yan, N.Y. won the June special. Yonge has visited the 'Land of Legends' victory lane each of the past three years.

Defending and seven-time ESS champion Mike Woodring from Eden, N.Y. placed fourth and second at Canandaigua before ending the season with two wins to improve his all-time ESS leading total to 51.

The ESS wingmen return to Canandaigua on July 6 when the 'Land of Legends' hosts it's traditional Fourth of July trackside celebration.

All-time Canandaigua big-block feature winner Alan Johnson and Gary Tomkins claimed the first two DIRT Modified features run in April, with Tomkins leading the early season points chase ahead of Vic Coffey and his newest teammate, two-time defending track champion Steve Paine. Johnson has won 111 feature races at Canandaigua followed by Bob McCreadie(98), Danny Johnson(65) and Paine(53), who is tied with Will Cagle in fourth.

In companion divisions, overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT Sportsman title contender Randy Chrysler won the April opener and John Plumb survived rough track conditions a week later while Jon Miller (Pro Stock) and Mike Minutolo (Street Stock) each posted a pair of full-fender victories in the only two races run to date.

Canandaigua Speedway is located at the Ontario County Fairgrounds on County Road 10, just east of the city. General admission ticket gates open at 5 p.m. and the first qualifying heat gets the green flag at 7 p.m.